Winchester's Best Bites
Moving to university brings together academic achievement and personal growth – it's about discovering your new home whilst building your future. Winchester offers an incredible food scene that perfectly complements student life, from quick bites between lectures to weekend catch-ups with mates. Whether you're budget-conscious or looking to treat yourself, our vibrant city has something for every taste and occasion.
Here's our insider guide to Winchester's must-try spots that have become student favourites.
Two Hands
Perfect for: Fuel between lectures and early morning pick-me-ups
Location matters when you're rushing between campus and town, and Two Hands delivers on convenience. Positioned at the top of town, it's the closest option on this list to the King Alfred Quarter – a great option when you are short on time.
Two Hands have taken the humble sandwich and elevated it to an art form, using quality local ingredients and creative combinations that make your typical meal deal look rather sad in comparison.
Opening at 7am with a dedicated breakfast menu, Two Hands understands student timetables. Their sandwiches are proper crafted affairs – the kind of honest, hearty food that keeps you going through those intensive study sessions whilst making you feel like you're treating yourself properly.
Student Budget Pick (Under £10)
Sausages, Chutney + Ketchup Sandwich: £7.50
Any of their 'classics' menu items fall well within student budget range, from BLT to Egg Mayo.
5 Boroughs Pizza
Perfect for: Late-night study fuel and weekend socialising
Forget everything you know about typical pizza chains. 5 Boroughs Pizza brings authentic New York-style pizza to Winchester – and it's become a student institution. The genius is in the simplicity: grab a massive slice and go, perfect for those rushing between campus and town.
What sets this place apart isn't just the pizza (though those big, foldable slices with crispy-yet-soft bases are brilliant). It's the atmosphere. The late-night bottomless pizza parties with DJs create the kind of memories that define your university years. It's where study groups turn into spontaneous celebrations and where you'll bump into coursemates from across the university.
Student Budget Pick (Under £10)
Pepperoni Slice: £4.50
Hot Honey Drizzle: £0.75
Total: £5.25
Pro tip: Follow their social media to stay in the loop on special events and those limited-edition slices that disappear as quickly as they appear.
Open House Deli
Perfect for: Study sessions and catching up with friends
Sometimes you need a space that works as hard as you do. Open House Deli offers the perfect blend of productivity and comfort – a large, light-filled café where you can spread out your laptop, meet study partners, or simply escape campus for a few hours.
The food philosophy here matches the student lifestyle: fresh, made-from-scratch options that fuel both body and mind. From Turkish eggs for those leisurely weekend brunches to grab-and-go salads when you're in a rush, they've got something for any situation. The attached shop is always worth a browse, with a wide range of interesting ingredients and home items.
Student Budget Pick (Under £10)
Roasted Jerusalem artichoke + salsify salad with orzo, apple, fermented chilli and lemon dressing: £5.50
Cauliflower Fritter: £3
Total: £8.50
The salads are made fresh each morning and change regularly – perfect for those who like variety in their routine.
Overdraft
Perfect for: Date nights and celebrating good grades
This intimate Mexican street food spot has mastered the art of making students feel sophisticated without breaking the bank. Serving craft beers, frozen margaritas, and vinyl-soundtrack vibes, Overdraft has become Winchester's worst-kept secret.
The cosy space means you might wait for a table, but that's part of the charm. It's the kind of place where conversations flow as smoothly as drinks, making it ideal for those important university moments – whether you're celebrating exam results or getting to know your flatmates better. The name might hit a little close to home, but that just adds to the charm!
Student Budget Pick (Under £10)
Tuesday is your day here! Three tacos for £8 is unbeatable value.
3x Stewed Frijoles Tacos: £8
OD Hot Sauce: £1
Total: £9
The charred pineapple salsa is a game-changer, and these tacos happen to be vegan and gluten-free friendly.
Marse
Perfect for: Adventurous eaters and nutritious comfort food
University is about expanding your horizons, and Marse offers the perfect culinary adventure. This unique spot champions ancient grains through creative Nepalese-influenced dishes that you won't find anywhere else in the city. From Momo to Buckwheat Noodles, every dish tells a story whilst delivering the kind of nutritious, satisfying meal that student life demands.
Located on Middle Brook Street, Marse proves that eating well on a student budget doesn't mean sacrificing flavour or nutrition. With protein options for every dietary preference, it's the kind of place that becomes your regular once you discover it.
Student Budget Pick (Under £10)
Rainbow Rolls (rice paper rolls with salads, pineapple, and your choice of braised pork belly, fried chicken, or fried tofu): £8
Your Winchester Food Journey Starts Here
These five spots represent just the beginning of what Winchester has to offer. Each reflects something special about student life here – the convenience, the community, the quality, and the character that makes this city the perfect backdrop for your university years.
Ready to discover Winchester for yourself? Our vibrant food scene is just one of the many reasons students choose to call this historic city home. From the moment you arrive, you'll find a community that welcomes you – and flavours that will become part of your university story.
Explore our courses and discover everything Winchester has to offer.
Images courtesy of @5bpizzauk and @odbeerandtacos
Back to blog